The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, Hans Herni Kluge, stated on Tuesday that around 36 million individuals in Europe may have experienced symptoms of long COVID since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle. This means that approximately 1 in 30 Europeans may be currently dealing with the effects of long COVID. Kluge emphasized that long COVID is a complex condition that still lacks significant understanding. He noted that 1 in 30 individuals could be struggling silently, highlighting the need for greater research and awareness concerning this condition.
Despite progress in managing the pandemic, Kluge stressed that long COVID remains a substantial knowledge gap that demands immediate attention. Efforts should be made to develop comprehensive diagnostics and treatment options for long COVID in order to achieve a complete recovery from the pandemic. Kluge encouraged further research and urged eligible individuals to get vaccinated against COVID-19. He also emphasized the importance of healthcare strategies focusing on prevention and ensuring sufficient care for patients. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, individuals with underlying medical conditions, and the immunocompromised, should be prioritized for vaccination.
Kluge additionally highlighted the ongoing toll of COVID-19 deaths in the region, stating that nearly 1000 new deaths are occurring each week. However, he acknowledged that this figure could be an underestimate due to countries reporting COVID-19 deaths irregularly to the WHO.
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